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Why Activate Learning?

We work with employers and universities to organise our vocational subjects into clusters and career pathways. These are combinations of subjects and courses that will help accelerate your career progression.

We run specialist degree courses only available locally with us, such as furniture design, policing and graphic communications.

You’ll study for the same level qualifications, in the same great places – but pay £1,800 less per year for your course. And, because our campuses are local, you could be working and living at home, saving even more on rent and travel. We give you choices when it comes to funding options, too.

HNCs and HNDs

If you already have some qualifications and want a flexible route into university or a career, higher national qualifications could be for you.

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) give you practical skills – to get you into work or further education, or to gain professional status.

They are flexible and work around your lifestyle – whether you want to study full-time, or fit learning around a job, childcare or other commitments.

HNCs are seen as equivalent to the first year of university. Learners can choose to complete the course in one year full time, or two years part time. HNCs allow entry into the second year of a degree.

HNDs are seen as equivalent to the first two years of studying for a degree. They allow entry into the second or third year of a degree.

We work with employers and universities to organise our vocational subjects into clusters and career pathways. These are combinations of subjects and courses that will help accelerate your career progression across key industries, including engineering, construction and computing.

It’s a winning formula. A government assessment of the quality of undergraduate teaching at Activate Learning said: “Progression to employment or further study is notably above benchmark, and for highly skilled employment exceeds the benchmark for some groups of full-time students.” (Teaching Excellence Framework 2017)

How it works

To study an HNC or HND, you’ll need to have one A-level or an equivalent qualification.

Many learners ‘pay as they go’ while studying for HNC/HND qualifications or save money to fund top up degrees. Others find employers who will part-fund fees for the top-up year.

Activate Learning offers a wide range of advice on courses and funding.

Foundation Degree

If you have three A-levels or the equivalent, a Foundation Degree can give you the knowledge and skills you need for a specific career, or serve as a ‘stepping stone’ to achieving a full honours degree.

Our Foundation Degrees, awarded by Oxford Brookes University, are Level 5 qualifications – equivalent to the second year of a three-year Honours Degree. The qualifications are designed in partnership with employers to ensure content is relevant within industry.

Foundation Degrees are flexible to fit around your personal circumstances. You can either complete the course in two years studying full time, or in three years studying part-time.

Unlike other courses, Foundation Degrees only require you to come to college on one or two days per week. This enables you to earn while you learn – fitting other commitments around your studies.

Once you’ve completed a foundation degree with us, you can stay and top up to achieve a full honours degree.

Why Activate Learning?

Study with Activate Learning and you’ll save £1,800 per year (20%) on tuition fees.

Our partnership with Oxford Brookes University means learners get the best of both worlds - with access to the facilities and resources provided by both Activate Learning and Oxford Brookes University.

What’s more, we work with employers and universities to organise our vocational subjects into clusters and career pathways. These are combinations of subjects and courses that will help accelerate your career progression across key industries including engineering, construction and computing.

It is a winning formula for our learners. The National Student Survey showed an overall satisfaction rating of 90% on our courses, which is 10% above national averages.

How it works

We look at the ‘whole person’ when you apply for a Foundation Degree – looking at your relevant experience, achievements and motivation, and not just your formal qualifications.

Honours degree

These are level 6 programmes (BA/BSc Hons) for learners who want to top up foundation degrees to full honours degrees.

Why Activate Learning?

We work with employers and universities to organise our vocational subjects into clusters and career pathways. These are combinations of subjects and courses that we know will help accelerate your career progression.

Study with Activate Learning instead of a university, and you’ll save £1,800 per year (20%) on tuition fees.